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Original poster

Greece versus Turkey-what do you think?

11 replies

Bimble · 28/01/2010 16:03

Hi, I haven't been to either and am looking at Kefalonia off Greece and also at Kalkan in the Kas region of Turkey. If anyone has any thoughts on these or on any especially good/not so good experiences of either I'd be glad to hear them.

OP posts:
Nefret · 28/01/2010 18:07

I have been to Greece and Turkey and they are both lovely. Turkey will probably be a bit cheaper when you get there as non Euro contries are better value at the moment. I also find Turkey more friendly than Greece, not that Greeks aren't friendly, it's just that Turks are very hospitable and especialy love children.

Either woudld be good though.

Original poster
Bimble · 29/01/2010 09:44

Thank you Nefret -v.helpful!

OP posts:
MumtoEliane · 02/02/2010 15:20

But not Bodrum! We went to Kos in Greece, and from there a day trip to Bodrum in Turkey, and OMG, the men follow you down the street trying to sell you stuff, almost grab you for you to go to their restaurants and couldn't look at a shop without being constantly pestered. Going back to Kos was a relief!

Nefret · 03/02/2010 11:29

I lived in Bodrum and it is beautiful around there. All Turkish resorts do have people trying to get you to buy but that is part of the culture. All you need to do is say no thank you! Turkish people are very, very friendly and they love to chat to everyone. Some people obviously don't like this but I find it all good fun.

Bodrum itself is more of a town than a resort anyway, most people don't stay there, they stay at one of the surrounding resorts.

I will be going back to Bodrum again this year for my holiday, I just love it there!

greedygreedyguzzler · 06/02/2010 12:19

Kalkan is FAB! went a couple of years ago and there are so many amazing restaurants its great if you like your food like i do!! so so friendly towards the kids too ( a bit scary till you get used to it). beach isnt great though, but one at patara nearby is huge and lovely.

HaveToWearHeels · 06/02/2010 12:40

Turkey definately, get more for your money as non euro. We have bought an apartment in a small resort, 10 minutes from Bodrum as we love it so much. Not been to Kalkan as not been there but heard it is nice.
The Turks are so friendly and you can take kids with you everywhere. I have even seen a waitor push a buggy up and down to get a little one to sleep while the parents were eating.
Yes you can get hassled a bit but you just politely say "No thankyou" and you will be left alone. I have received the same amount of "hassling" in Greece.

HaveToWearHeels · 06/02/2010 12:58

ment to say "can't comment on Kalkan as not been there"

Mithered · 06/02/2010 21:32

I have been to several Greek Islands and prefer them to Turkey. As for Bodrum I havent been with children but when went when single was subject of attempt abduction. I found it very intimidating and men were very rude in their harassment of us, especially as blonde.
Just my experience though!

TRL · 07/02/2010 13:30

I think it totally depends what kind of holiday you're after .... We've been to both Kefalonia and Kalkan and vastly preferred Kefalonia. We had a villa there in a village a little way from the sea which came with a hire car. We zipped around the island and even took the hire car on a ferry to Ithaca one day to look round there. The beaches on the south coast of Kefalonia are beautifully sandy and slope really gently into the sea so v.v.v. safe for littlies. We were near enough to tavernas to eat out when we wanted but also had such a lovely swimming pool/barbeque/terrace area at the villa, surrounded by goats & olives that we were quite happy to eat in too. Kalkan we found very busy by contrast, so many people and villas built overlooking each other which we hate - much less peace and solitude, but you might like the bustle - it depends on what kind of holiday yr after. The hard sell was less acute than in places like Bodrum, but still much more noticeable than anywhere in Greece. I guess if yr planning on going to a resort in Kefalonia yr experience will be much more similar to staying in Kalkan anyway? We've found both Turks and Greeks to be really wonderful with children, very accepting of them and in tavernas they go out of their way to ensure children have something they like, bigger children are enlisted to entertain little ones etc, so both countries are fab from that point of view.

eltham · 09/02/2010 14:24

Hi TRL,

What villa did you have? And where exactly was it? - would like to check this out as it seems like you had a wonderful time.

Lisa2 · 13/02/2010 00:15

I would say Greece as i have been to 5 different islands and each one so different and really beautiful.

I am a sucker for Greek cuisine and i am in heaven when i am there for 2 weeks.

Great placesto see and lots to do and the weather ..... lovely and hot in the summer.

We now have a Greek restaurant here in Tenerife so i must try that out... yummmmmm!

Have a greatimewherever you decide.x

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